Woman Leads Police on Low-Speed Chase

Gravette officer follows woman to Decatur before stop is finally made and woman arrested

Gravette and Decatur police searched a vehicle in the Decatur General Store parking lot on March 7. The driver, Gennifer Lavante, led a low-speed police chase from Decatur to Gravette. Police found what appeared to be marijuana, methamphetamine and prescription pills in her vehicle.
Gravette and Decatur police searched a vehicle in the Decatur General Store parking lot on March 7. The driver, Gennifer Lavante, led a low-speed police chase from Decatur to Gravette. Police found what appeared to be marijuana, methamphetamine and prescription pills in her vehicle.

DECATUR — Gennifer Lavante, of Bella Vista, led a lowspeed police chase — reaching speeds of 30 to 50 miles per hour in a 55 mile per hour speed zone — from Gravette to Decatur on March 7.

Lavante, 29, was arrested on multiple charges after police found what was believed to be marijuana, methamphetamine and prescription drugs in her vehicle, according to the affidavit of probable cause.

Gravette Police Cpl. Jeff Turner attempted to stop Lavante after he observed her swerving across the road — with both front and back tires crossing the center line — at the intersection of Arkansas Highway 59 and SW Irving Street in Gravette, the affidavit states.

When Turner turned on his emergency lights, Lavante reportedly moved around in the car, making quick jerking motions and looking over her shoulders, but continued to drive towards the city limits. She continued on, crossing out of the city limits, even after Turner turned on his vehicle’s siren, the affidavit states.

Turner continued to follow Lavante’s car until it came to a stop in front of the Faith Bible Church on Arkansas Highway 59. Lavante let her car roll forward one or two feet at a time as Turner got out of his patrol car. When Turner asked Lavante to roll down the window so they could talk, she allegedly replied, “No.”

When he asked her what was wrong, she replied, “I’m scared.”

Turner asked Lavante what she was scared of and she replied, “You!” the affidavit states.

Lavante pulled away and Turner pursued her on Arkansas Highway 59 at speeds ranging from 30 to 50 miles per hour. The speed limit in the area is 55 miles per hour.

Throughout the pursuit, Lavante allegedly swerved from side to side, occasionally driving left of center, the affidavit states. At one point she swerved off the left side of the road, into two driveways, but returned to the highway.

As the pursuit continued towards Decatur, Decatur Police Officer Larry Fiedorowicz pulled his patrol car across the highway in an attempt to stop Lavante, but Lavante drove into the ditch and around the officer’s car, the affidavit states.

Lavante finally came to a stop, in heavy traffic, near the intersection of Arkansas Highways 59 and 102 in Decatur and was removed from her vehicle by Decatur police.

Decatur Police Chief Terry Luker said he was off duty and out riding his motorcycle with friends and happened to be sitting in the intersection of Arkansas Highway 102 and 59 on his motorcycle when Lavante was approaching the four-way-stop.

The intersection was congested with traffic, so Lavante switched into the oncoming lane of traffic, Luker said. Lavante recognized court clerk Peggy Gunter, who was also out riding her motorcycle, and called out, "Peggy, help!"

Gunter replied, "Stop!" and Lavante stopped.

When Luker approached the car, Lavante locked the door, he said. He was able to open the back door, which was unlocked and unlock the front door and turn off the car.

Lavante resisted arrest and had to be wrestled to the ground in order to be handcuffed, he said.

Benton County Deputy Diane Spain was called to search Lavante’s person, and police searched Lavante’s car. In the car, they found what appeared to be a marijuana smoking device, a bag with what was believed to be marijuana inside, a syringe of methamphetamine and five prescription pills, according to the affidavit.

Lavante was arrested on two charges of possession of a controlled substance, possession of an instrument of crime, fleeing, driving while intoxicated and careless and prohibitive driving and transported to the Benton County Jail. She was released on a $5,000 bond on March 9.